2005 Nissan Xterra Owner's Manual - Page 67

occupant takes his/her weight off the seat cushion (for example, by not sitting upright, by sitting on an edge of the seat, or by otherwise being out of position), this could cause the sensor to turn the air bag OFF. In addition, if the occupant improperly uses the seat belt in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode), this could cause the air bag to be turned OFF. Always be sure to be seated and wearing the seat belt properly for the most effective protection by the seat belt and supplemental air bag. NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and children be properly restrained in a rear seat. NISSAN also recommends that appropriate child restraints and booster seats be properly installed in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the weight sensor and seat belt sensors are designed to operate as described above to turn the front passenger air bag OFF for specified child restraints as required by the regulations. Failing to properly secure child restraints and to use the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode) may allow the restraint to tip or move in an accident or sudden stop. This can also result in the passenger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being OFF. See "Child restraints" earlier in this section for proper use and installation. If the front passenger seat is not occupied and the seat belt is not buckled, the passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a crash. However, heavy objects placed on the seat could result in air bag inflation, because of the object's weight detected by the weight sensor. Other conditions could also result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is standing on the seat, or if two children are on the seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual. Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants are seated and restrained properly. Using the passenger air bag status light, you can monitor when the front passenger air bag is automatically turned OFF. The light will illuminate (indicating the air bag is OFF and will not inflate) when the front passenger seat is not occupied. If an adult occupant is in the seat and the passenger air bag status light is illuminated (indicating that the air bag is OFF), it could be that the person is a small adult, or is not sitting on the seat or not using the seat belt properly. If a child restraint must be used in the front seat, but the status light is not lit (indicating that the air bag might inflate in a crash), it could be that the child restraint or seat belt is not being used properly. If such situations happen, properly position and restrain the occupant or child restraint. Otherwise reposition the occupant or child restraint in a rear seat. If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air bag system, the supplemental air bag warning light , located in the meter and gauges area in the center of the instrument panel, will blink. Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer. Other supplemental front air bag precautions WARNING ● Do not place any objects on the steering wheel pad or on the instrument panel. Also, do not place any objects between any occupant and the steering wheel or instrument panel. Such objects may become dangerous projectiles and cause injury if the supplemental front air bag inflates. ● Immediately after inflation, several front air bag system components will be hot. Do not touch them; you may severely burn yourself. ● No unauthorized changes should be made to any components or wiring of the supplemental air bag system. This is to prevent accidental inflation of the supplemental air bag or damage to the supplemental air bag system. Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-49